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such men, brother, because of the state of the realm, but Fulk or henry and the Lady Alinor It is unthinkable! Even her daughter would not be safe from them."
"What is that your affair! You did not think me serious, even after you heard what was in my letter?" John snarled. "Or did the gentle, wellborn bitch conceal the fact that she was defying my order?"
"I know you did not like Sir Simon," Salisbury soothed, "but do not let that spill over onto his wife. She did not defy your order. Your letter did not come until the day after they were wedded and bedded, too. The messenger, all draggled and torn, arrived during the swearing of the vassals. He was kept prisoner, John. I went and questioned him myself. He was near a week hidden in some outlaw's den."
"My dislike for Lemagne has nothing to do with it," John raged. "You are not such a fool as to forget where Roselynde lies. I need a faithful man in that keep."
"Ian de Vipont is a faithful vassal. He has answered every summons you have sent promptly and with the full number of men in his tail. He has fought bravely in each action. You need fear no treachery from him. I am so sure of that, I will stand warrant for him if you desire. If you must be angry at someone, be angry at me. I knew de Vipont had an eye for Lemagne's widowwell, not so much for the widow, in fact, as for the children whom he speaks of constantly as his own." Salisbury did not really believe that any more. He had seen Ian's reaction to Alinor. It seemed a safer idea to present to John, however. "When you said the lady must marry soon and might choose for herself, I wrote to tell Ian to push his suit."
For a moment John looked as if he would burst. Then he laughed. "Much good your warranty would do me. Do you think I could harm you even if he turned traitor? Do not talk like a fool. But I am angry, William. I acquit you of malice. Nonetheless, you have done me

 
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